Dark Moon Magic

by Jerri Drennen

  She looked at him, clearly not taking him seriously.

  “So, I’ll let you get to work,” Rayland stated. “I need to get back to that myself. See you Friday night.” He turned and left the shop.

  Trace stared at the door. Rayland was definitely up to something, and in his gut he knew it wasn’t good. He reached into the back pocket of his jeans for his wallet, extracted a twenty, and gave it to Regina.

  She looked oddly at the bill in her hand, then at him. “And this is for?”

  “Those amazing vitamins. You do have some more, right?”

  “Yes. I wasn’t sure you were serious. I’ll get them.” She raced to the back and returned with a green bottle in hand.

  Trace knew what he had to do, but he was nervous as hell.

  Regina handed him his change and the bottle.

  He took both and shifted his stance.

  “Can I get you anything else?”

  “No. I do want to ask you something, though.”

  “Okay.” She stared intently at him.

  Trace cleared his throat, unnerved by the attention. “I … ah …”

  “What, Sheriff?”

  “Trace, remember?”

  “All right, Trace. What do you need to ask?”

  He forced out a breath. “Would you be my date to the dance?”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Regina stepped into the only department store in town and glanced around, a light talc scent inundating her senses. She was there to find a dress to wear for the dance.

  Whatever possessed her to say yes to Trace still weighed heavily on her, since he was supposed to be dating Becky. The woman would probably tear out her heart and serve it up as an appetizer to everyone in town.

  An older lady wearing a tailored navy skirt and white blouse with a flouncy bow headed her way, a smile curling her matted-red lips. “Hello. You must be Miss Moon.”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s a pleasure. I’m Carol Evans. My daughter was in your shop a few days ago. She said she could have spent hours looking around. She bought some of those supplements that Sylvia’s taking, along with a few other things. I started the vitamins yesterday. I hope they work as well for me as they do for Sylvia.”

  Regina smiled. “I hope they do, too.”

  “So, is there anything in particular you’re looking for today?”

  “A dress. For the dance tomorrow night.”

  “Of course. Do you have a color in mind?” Carol glanced at Regina’s attire and frowned. “I’m not sure I have anything right for the occasion in black.”

  “I was thinking something more colorful … that would go with my crazy hair.”

  “It’s a wonderful red tone. I’m sure we can find something you’ll like.”

  The woman headed to a rack in the back. Regina followed. Carol turned to glance over her shoulder. “You’re a size three, right?”

  “Yes. That’s right.”

  “To be that size again,” the saleslady said wistfully before pulling out an emerald sundress with an empire waist and thin spaghetti straps. It had black embroidered flowers highlighted with white along the bottom half. Regina didn’t even have to try it on to know she loved the dress itself. But she would have to make sure it fit.

  “Let’s start with this one.” Carol handed Regina the dress. “The changing room is straight back through those curtains. Go try it on and I’ll pull a few more for you to look at.”

  Regina took the garment and started toward the changing room. If she chose this dress she’d have to find a pair of shoes to match. Most of what she owned were boots or simple black slip-ons. Nothing with any size of heel.

  Once in the dress, she turned to the side, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She loved the way the bottom flowed above the knee and how the bodice fit snuggly against her breasts. It was perfect.

  “How does it fit?” Carol asked from outside the curtain.

  Regina stepped out and smiled at the woman.

  “I guess you won’t be needing these.” She glanced at the dresses in her hand.

  Regina ran a finger over the material and shook her head. “This is the dress. I’m going to need shoes. I have nothing that will work.”

  “I have just the pair.” She looked at Regina’s feet. “Size six?”

  “Yes.” This woman clearly knew her business.

  Carol rushed off and came back with a pair of strappy heeled shoes that matched the color of the dress exactly.

  “If they fit, I’ll take them.” Regina took the high-heels and slipped them on. She walked to the end of the store and back, pleased that they were comfortable. She strolled back to Carol and removed them.

  “I have some earrings and a necklace that would work as well.”

  “Great,” Regina said. “I’ll go change. I need to get back to the store. It’s been a mad house the last few days.”

  Carol smiled, took the shoes from Regina, and headed for the front.

  Regina hurried to get back into her street clothes, then carried the dress to the register, where the woman waited.

  On the counter, in a small box, were the most amazing necklace and earrings. The design was like nothing Regina had ever seen before. Emerald-like stones glittered on each piece. “They’re beautiful, but how much are they?”

  “It’s costume jewelry, dear. I have a great supplier. The set is fifteen dollars.”

  “I’ll take them.”

  Regina paid for her purchases and left the store. She knew she shouldn’t be excited about the dance, but she was. It had been a long time since she’d actually planned to go out. Rod had screwed up anything she’d tried to do in Little Rock. He had refused to see she’d moved on—that she no longer had feelings for him. That alone had sent him into a crazed state. The one and only date she’d had after they’d broke up ended with Rod forcing his way into her house and trying to choke her to death. She’d had to promise to never see the guy again before he would stop.

  Regina shuddered. Thank heavens he didn’t know she was in Groves. He’d probably kill her next time.

  She reached her storefront and quickly unlocked the door. Inside, she switched on the light. The smell of smoke reached her nose. It was strong. Visions of a blazing fire sent her into panic mode.

  She dropped the bag next to the door and ran to the storage room to see where the odor came from, but found nothing.

  Next, she raced to her apartment in the back, running from room to room until she noticed a stream of smoke coming from the sink. She inched her way over and found one of her large glass candleholders inside, a half-burned poppet with red hair on top. She saw it was filled with dirt. A sign of the earth and doused with water. Earth. Fire. Air and Water. The four elements.

  Another warning?

  How did they get in her house?

  Jingling of the doorbell from the shop had her rushing to get back. She didn’t have time to worry if the person who had burnt the doll was still lurking about.

  As she came through the door, her frenzied heartbeat slowed. Standing at the counter, holding a small ball of fur, was Trace—a man she was happy to see.

  “Are you burning something?” he asked, glancing down when the object in his arm moved.

  “No, well, yes. I don’t know.”

  He frowned. “Are you okay?”

  “I just got back from lunch and walked in and smelled smoke. I found a candleholder in my kitchen sink with some sort of straw doll half-burnt in it.”

  His eyes widened. “Stay here. I’ll go check it out. Oh, hold this.” He gave her the ball of black fur.

  Regina looked down to find two light green eyes staring up at her. A kitten.

  Trace returned a few minutes later, shaking his head. “No sign of a break-in. Is anything missing?”

  Regina shrugged. “I don’t know. I was too panicked to look around.”

  “Does anyone else have a key to the place besides you?”

  Who did? Why had it taken a break-in for h
er to think about this? “I imagine the realtor had one. Maybe the previous owner? I don’t know.”

  “And you’re sure this ex-boyfriend of yours has no clue you’re here?”

  Regina swallowed, trying to calm her racing heart. “Positive. I have a friend keeping an eye on him. He’s been in Little Rock the whole time.”

  “This is weird. First the dead birds, then the rock, and now this. How do they all fit together?”

  She wasn’t going to tell him what she thought. He’d have her removed from Groves without a backward glance. “I don’t know,” she lied and tried to hand him the kitten.

  “Whoa, I found that little critter outside your door. I don’t want him.”

  “I can’t keep him.” She glanced down at the ball in her arms.

  “If I take him over to animal control in Riley they’ll more than likely have him euthanized.”

  Regina sucked in a shattered breath. “Okay, I’ll keep him.” No way was she letting anyone put the cat to sleep. He was just a baby. “Do we have anyone in town who could take a look at this little guy and tell me if he’s healthy or not?”

  “Ron Eggers. He’s our town vet. I’ll give him a call. See if he has time to come by and take a look at it.”

  “Thanks,” she said, then glanced around the room, all of a sudden feeling nervous. Trace Langston seemed to do that to her every time she was in his presence, and frankly, she didn’t like feeling vulnerable to a man again.

  * * *

  Trace watched Regina with a cop’s eye. She knew more about these strange occurrences than she was letting on. But he didn’t have a clue how to get her to talk. Interrogating her now would only have her backing out of their date. That was the last thing he wanted, since he knew with certainty Rayland was up to something, and he needed to keep an eye on him.

  “So, we’re still on for tomorrow night, right?”

  “About that,” she said, obviously trying not to look him straight in the eye, “what do you think your girlfriend will say?”

  “Whoa, what? I don’t have a girlfriend.”

  Her gaze narrowed. “Does Becky know that?”

  “Becky Riverside?”

  “Are you dating another Becky?”

  “Of course not. I’ve never dated anyone from Groves.”

  “Does Becky know this?”

  “Why do you keep asking me that? I have never dated Becky Riverside. Not that she hasn’t invited the idea into her mind.”

  “She said you two were dating.” Regina eyed him suspiciously.

  He fisted his hands on his belt. “I don’t care what she said. It’s not true.”

  “You say you haven’t dated anyone from Groves. Why did you ask me to the dance, then? I may be new, but wouldn’t that go against that?”

  What was he supposed to say about that? She was right. It went against his self-imposed rule, yet this wasn’t about dating her. It was about uncovering what Rayland—a man Trace had despised since they’d first met—was planning. Pure and simple. But he couldn’t tell her that.

  “Well,” she prompted, obviously waiting for him to say something.

  Regina Moon was no dummy. Trace would have to come up with an answer she’d believe, or she would probably change her mind about going with him.

  “It’s not really a date. I just thought we could go together.”

  “So Becky wouldn’t hang all over you?”

  Trace smirked. “You clearly don’t know the woman. My having a date wouldn’t stop her from clinging, or any other single woman in Groves. Believe me.”

  Her gaze narrowed. “You sure have a high opinion of yourself.”

  “No. It’s just the way it is. If you don’t believe me, watch tomorrow night.” He issued the challenge more to keep her from backing out on their date than to prove a point. He didn’t need to. He knew exactly what would happen when he showed up at the hall. The single women would flock to him like bees to a hive, along with a few of the married ones, and he’d be sidestepping them all—the only dance maneuver he’d be doing tomorrow evening.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Regina glanced one last time at herself in the full-length mirror, then went to find her purse. Trace said it wasn’t a date, and that made her less nervous about the whole affair. If it had been an actual one, she’d have to spend the night trying to keep her distance and hope he didn’t expect a kiss or maybe even more. This was the best of both worlds. She’d get to go out, enjoy a night of dancing, and not be pressured into anything.

  Regina jumped when the doorbell rang. She glanced at her watch. Eight o’clock on the dot. She had to give the man props for punctuality.

  She walked to the door. Before turning the knob, she sucked in a cleansing breath and released it.

  It isn’t a date. Just two people going to a dance together.

  She opened the door, and all her calm thoughts flew straight into the night. Trace looked good enough to eat in his white button-down shirt and well-worn jeans sporting a slightly frayed area above one knee. His hair appeared as if he’d tried to get control of it, but it still stuck up in the front, and the tantalizing, spicy scent of him floated about, stirring her senses.

  “Ready to go?” His deep voice sent a tingle up her spine.

  “Yes.”Regina walked out, her arm brushing against his as she passed, the tingle shooting to her toes. She scolded herself and closed the door.

  “Did Ron show up?” he asked as they started down the steps.

  “Yes. According to him, the kitten is a little underweight but healthy. He’s a boy by the way.”

  “Did you give him a name, yet?”

  “As a matter of fact, I did.”

  He arched a brow. “And?”

  “Isis.”

  “I like it. Oh, did you get a chance to look around your place to see if anything’s missing?”

  “I didn’t notice anything. I’ll look more thoroughly on Sunday when I have time.”

  At the entrance of the legion hall, Trace handed two tickets to the man at the door, who seemed shocked to see the sheriff.

  “Let’s grab a table.” Trace took hold of her hand and pulled her along with him through a crowd of people. His roughened palm sent a jolt of charged energy up her arm. The man was literally a walking current.

  He stopped at a small table in the back and pulled a chair out for Regina.

  She sat, adjusting the skirt of her dress before looking up at him.

  “What do you want to drink?”

  “I’ll take a tonic water with a twist of lime if they have it.”

  “Okay. I’ll be right back.” He made his way to the bar, and Regina glanced around, noting a handful of women giving her the evil eye.

  She swallowed and turned away, fiddling with her purse on the table. Regina returned her attention to the bar, where three women now surrounded her date. She had assumed Trace was conceited when he’d told her ladies would be all over him, and now she saw he’d been telling the truth.

  Somehow he managed to get their drinks, dodge the three women, and return to the table.

  “Do you come to events like these often?” she asked once he’d placed the drinks down and was seated.

  “Never.” He scoped out the room, then looked at her again.

  “Is this town hurting for available men?”

  He shook his head. “Not really.”

  “Then why?”

  “What? You mean all the attention?”

  Regina gave him a half-hearted grin. “Yeah.”

  “I guess I’m the catch of the county.” He gave her a quick wink.

  Regina studied her surroundings. Almost every woman in the building had their eye on Trace.

  “You must be flattered.”

  He snorted. “Not in the least.” He took a long swallow of the dark liquid in his glass.

  “I don’t get it.” Regina eyed him suspiciously. “Why ask me to a dance if you’ve never come to one before tonight?”

  He shifted on hi
s seat and took another drink. “I don’t know. I thought it might be fun.”

  Yeah. Right. He was lying, yet calling him on it would be useless. Instead, she took a sip of her soda water and looked up. The lighting in the hall was low and would have been romantic under different circumstances.

  Music started, and she glanced around to see if people were walking toward the dance floor. She returned her attention to Trace, who suddenly seemed uncomfortable. If this man came to have fun, it didn’t appear to be working. He looked almost ready to bolt.

  He cleared his throat and turned his chair sideways. “Holy Mary,” he said, turning back to face her.

  Regina looked in the direction he’d been looking. Becky Riverside was headed their way, an angry glint in her eyes that spoke volumes for her emotional state.

  Just great.

  Becky reached the table and focused her full attention on Trace. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw you. You never come to these things.”

  Regina could tell by his expression he seriously wished he hadn’t tonight.

  He shrugged. “I thought it was time to see what all the fuss was about.”

  Becky turned to Regina and did a once-over. “I like your dress.”

  Regina studied the woman from under her lashes. “Thanks.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything other than black.”

  “It hardly seemed appropriate for a dance.”

  “Right,” she said with a hint of sarcasm, her jaw visibly clenching. “I still can’t believe you were able to talk Trace into coming.”

  “He asked me.” Regina knew she treaded on thin ice, but she couldn’t help herself. The woman wore on her last nerve.

  “Really?” Becky’s gaze whipped to Trace. “Would you like to dance, Sheriff?”

  “Maybe later,” he said, proceeding to ignore them both, staring off into the crowd of people.

  Was he watching for someone, or was he always this rude to his dates?

  Wait. This wasn’t a date. She had to remember that.

  Becky walked away, pushing through a group standing in her path, a backward glare suggesting to Regina she’d better watch her step.